NIAMS Update August 2012

August 30, 2012

The NIAMS Update is a monthly digest published for those interested in the latest scientific news and resources on diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin. We encourage further dissemination of this resource.

Office of Science Policy, Planning and Communications(OSPPC)
Communications and Public Liaison Branch(CPLB)niamsinfo@mail.nih.gov

Renowned Researcher To Lead New Multidisciplinary Pain Program at NIH
Catherine Bushnell, Ph.D., an internationally recognized pain and neuroscience researcher, has been appointed scientific director of a new research program focusing on the role of the brain in perceiving, modifying and managing pain. Based in the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), this collaborative effort will complement basic science and clinical research efforts of other ongoing intramural neuroscience, imaging and mental and behavioral health research programs.

NIH Funds Development of Tissue Chips To Help Predict Drug Safety: DARPA and FDA To Collaborate on Groundbreaking Therapeutic Development Initiative
Seventeen NIH grants are aimed at creating 3-D chips with living cells and tissues that accurately model the structure and function of human organs, such as the lung, liver and heart. Once developed, these tissue chips will be tested with compounds known to be safe or toxic in humans to help identify the most reliable drug safety signals—ultimately advancing research to help predict the safety of potential drugs in a faster, more cost-effective way. The initiative marks the first interagency collaboration launched by the NIH’s recently created National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The NIH’s newly funded Tissue Chip for Drug Screening initiative is the result of collaborations that focus the resources and ingenuity of the NIH, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting
The NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting will be held September 11, 2012, in Building 31, 6th floor, C Wing, Conference Room 6, NIH Campus.

Follow-up: NIAMS 2012 Scientific Planning Retreat
The NIAMS held its annual Scientific Planning Retreat on April 23–24, 2012. Specific topics addressed included atopic dermatitis, stem cells, and tendon and ligament biology. Attendees also discussed an analysis of the NIAMS clinical trials portfolio and goals for clinical research, as well as ways in which to leverage NIAMS resources in strategic funding collaborations. The sessions were designed to help position the NIAMS to both assess and respond to future scientific directions.

Save the Date: Summit on the Science of Eliminating Health DisparitiesIntegrating Science, Policy and PracticeBuilding a Healthier Society
October 31–November 3, 2012
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, MarylandRegistration

NIH Research MattersNIH Research Matters is a review of NIH research from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, NIH.

NIH Public Bulletin
Read about the latest public events, activities and health information resources from the NIH in the latest issue of the NIH Public Bulletin.

NIH News in Health
Read practical health information in NIH News in Health, which is reviewed by the NIH’s medical experts and is based on research conducted either by the NIH’s own scientists or by its grantees at universities and medical schools around the country.

Red in the Face: Understanding Rosacea
Some people think of a rosy complexion as a sign of good health. But red patches on the face may point to something more troubling—a long-lasting skin disorder called rosacea.

Dizziness Can Be a Drag: Coping With Balance Disorders
Imagine reaching for something on a grocery store shelf and suddenly feeling unsteady. Or looking over your shoulder to back up the car and having things start whirling around you. Most people feel dizzy now and then. But if that feeling persists or interferes with your daily life, it could be a sign of a balance disorder.

If you would like to review information about funding opportunities more frequently than our monthly updates allow, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, the primary source for information about NIH funding opportunities. You can also request a weekly Table of Contents from the NIH Guide.